On 31/12/2023 at 13:48, just said:

Agree with all you have said here except for the last sentence.

These were the days when I was a ST holder. That first title winning season I went to all the home games and a good number away, including when we clinched the title at Bolton. Make no mistake everyone, no Drogba = no title.

Certainly, he was raw but from day 1 he was so, so important to how we played as a team. For every time he hit the deck too easily he usually had 5,6,7 examples to show of excellent hold up play linking the midfield to the attack. And as for his aerial ability, I only have one word AWESOME. He never gave defenders a moments peace. And because he was so strong those defenders had to resort to kicking lumps out of him to get the ball. And that was usually why he went to ground. Foul, after foul, after foul. But he got zero protection from referees. None. Because the media had started on this "he falls over" campaign rather than talking about the terrible treatment he was receiving on the pitch. He also had two months out with a serious stomach muscle injury.

Before Drogba arrived we had a number 9 in JFH who scored goals. But we won nothing with him up front. Why? Because he couldn't do all the other bits well at all. Not great at holding the ball up, not great in the air, and practically non-existent from a work rate and defensive point view. All those things that Drogba brought us that first season contributed to the highest number of goals scored by our midfielders and defenders at the point in our history and our first top tier title since 1955. Oh, and he scored in a cup-final win against Liverpool too.

 

 

I agree that Drogba being bad in his first two years was a myth but I don't agree we don't win the title without him.

Eidur Gudjohnsen also had an excellent season.

I always thought our best football came with Eidur at CAM 

On 01/01/2024 at 02:07, El regreso said:

It will take a while but eventually some will realise we are no longer in the top 3 when it comes to player choices unless we double the bid and possibly agent fees. We are no longer the “Chelsea of Old”.
The whole squad has been poor because they are young players learning but the focus is on Jackson, similar to how Jorginho /Cucu/Mount got blamed for everything or whoever else is the “ Targeted Player” of the month by Chelsea own “fans” and I say the word “fans” lightly.

How can you target your own players, how does that make sense? What mental gymnastics do you go through to come to the conclusion that the best course of action to support one of your own players struggling is boos/abuse/calling him a donkey? 
That will surely get him playing well again!!

100%. It's a bit irksome when people post stuff about going after players, still believing that the players all cant wait to come to Chelsea if we make a bid.

5 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I always thought our best football came with Eidur at CAM 

Think it was more 05/06 he played in midfield more (due to Crespo's return making striker chances scarse).

04/05 he shared the role with Drogs.

9 hours ago, kennypaul said:

100%. It's a bit irksome when people post stuff about going after players, still believing that the players all cant wait to come to Chelsea if we make a bid.

Why not? We are the biggest club in London, a few years without trophies doesn't mean we are an awful team.

13 hours ago, Malcolm9 said:

Why not? We are the biggest club in London, a few years without trophies doesn't mean we are an awful team.

I didnt say we're an awful team. I dont believe we have that pulling power any more and not because of our slight demise, but that more clubs have rich benefactors these days. As an aside, are we the biggest club in London? 

Do we pay the biggest wages? Do we pay the biggest agent’s fees? Will we pay the transfer prices?  It was paying up that got players to the club and still will be. The top clubs pay more. Doing that year after year if you can,  is what makes you a top club. 

I believe Nico will turn 9n to a very good player for us. 

Needs to mature more both on and off the pitch but he has some good traits. Think he will be a quite good wide attacker.

Now if we could convert one of our Wideman in to a Star striker would would be set. That mudryk goal vs Palace was a good strikers goal... ;)

Anyone starting to miss him or regret wanting him dropped?

Jackson will be demanding a payrise when he returns from the AFCON given how bad his replacement is.

30 minutes ago, Whats_The_Mata? said:

Anyone starting to miss him or regret wanting him dropped?

Jackson will be demanding a payrise when he returns from the AFCON given how bad his replacement is.

Yeah, I miss him.  Gets way too much stick for his age and first year in PL.  While he has some infuriating moments and misses, he never stops trying.  I was happy for him with the quality of the pass for our third goal against Luton - he needed that, and the break from Chelsea will probably do him good.

Nah, we still need a new striker.

Came off the bench v Gambia today. Great save stopped a goal.

13 hours ago, dermott said:

Came off the bench v Gambia today. Great save stopped a goal.

he has stopped a few goals at Chelsea as well….

…..unfortunately they were ours when we were trying to score

On 02/01/2024 at 23:18, axman2526 said:

I believe Nico will turn 9n to a very good player for us. 

Needs to mature more both on and off the pitch but he has some good traits. Think he will be a quite good wide attacker.

Now if we could convert one of our Wideman in to a Star striker would would be set. That mudryk goal vs Palace was a good strikers goal... 😉

Nico has got over 7 years left on his contract, so time is on his side

Senegal vs Ivory coast goes to Pens.

Will Jackson be on his way home early or will Didier be left disappointed his nation heads out.

Mendy the penalty hero?

9 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Senegal vs Ivory coast goes to Pens.

Will Jackson be on his way home early or will Didier be left disappointed his nation heads out.

Mendy the penalty hero?

Did he actually touch the ball in the 50 minutes he was in the park? Was only half watching but  never heard his name once.

It also reminded  me I'd already forgotten Koulibaly played for us

9 minutes ago, loz said:

Did he actually touch the ball in the 50 minutes he was in the park? Was only half watching but  never heard his name once.

It also reminded  me I'd already forgotten Koulibaly played for us

No idea just been checking the score.

Senegal are out. Jacko will be back for Wolves.

7 minutes ago, loz said:

Did he actually touch the ball in the 50 minutes he was in the park? Was only half watching but  never heard his name once.

It also reminded  me I'd already forgotten Koulibaly played for us

I watched it Loz. Jackson has only been used as a sub in the tournament and he didn't do much to suggest he should have been starting.

And Mendy hasn't gotten any better at saving penalties though he played reasonably well in the 120 minutes.

3 minutes ago, just said:

I watched it Loz. Jackson has only been used as a sub in the tournament and he didn't do much to suggest he should have been starting.

And Mendy hasn't gotten any better at saving penalties though he played reasonably well in the 120 minutes.

Well we know a blind, one legged, drunk leprechaun looks world class compared to Broja so it will be like having Pele in his pomp when Jackson is back right Just?!

30 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

drunk leprechaun

Negative connotation.

Excellent. 

15 minutes ago, Liam said:

Negative connotation.

You prefer snake scaring crazy mick don't you Liam

56 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Senegal are out. Jacko will be back for Wolves.

Phew, and there was me wondering where the goals were going to come from. Wolves will start with 9 men right?

55 minutes ago, Liam said:

Negative connotation.

Ah you are Irish eh Liam? Sorry about that mate.